A 21-year-old U.S. Marine stationed in San Diego has been declared deceased after disappearing during a training exercise off the Southern California coast, officials confirmed. Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, who hailed from Minnesota, was officially declared dead on June 27, 2026.

Canseco went missing in the early morning hours of June 25 from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage. This prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation involving the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force. Despite extensive efforts, the Marine was not found.

Crews covered approximately 2,400 square miles, utilizing three surface ships and 12 aircraft during the search. By June 26, the active search and rescue operations transitioned into recovery operations. Officials announced his death on Friday, July 27, 2026, and identified the Marine on Monday, July 29, 2026.

"On behalf of the Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Lance Cpl. Ortiz Canseco," said Col. Richard Alvarez, the commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "He earned the title of United States Marine and served his country with honor and commitment. We mourn alongside his family, and we remain committed to bringing him home."

Capt. Gary A. Harrington, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 7, stated that Canseco's loss was felt "deeply across our entire Navy-Marine Corps team." He added, "The amphibious Navy exists to fight alongside the Marine Corps, and a loss to the Marine Corps family is a loss to our own."

Canseco enlisted in the Marines in April 2023 and completed recruit training. He became a rifleman and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. He was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon during his service. At the time of his disappearance, Ortiz Canseco was assigned to the USS Anchorage as part of training exercises with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group.

The circumstances surrounding Canseco's death are currently under investigation. Family and loved ones held a vigil for him on Sunday night at Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield, Minnesota, praying for his safe return.